YOUNGSTOWN — There is a new face at the Mahoning County commissioners’ table, though she has not been elected.

On Thursday, the commissioners approved a motion to appoint Maria Knight as clerk of the board. She replaces Nancy Laboy, who retired after the Oct. 23 meeting, having served the county for 36 years.

Commissioner Anthony Traficanti said Laboy told everyone she wanted no balloons, cake, public accolades or other fanfare, but she will be missed. He said the board has faith Knight will be an apt successor.

County Administrator Hollie Musolino-Goodin said Knight was hired six months ago as part of the county’s personnel transitioning planning process.

“We’re making the county the way it should be,” she said. “Our departments will run and look according to how our county should be structured. It’s bringing a lot of positive changes and more transparency.”

She said the position is not one that just anybody can fill.

“Clerk is an appointed job, and somebody has to be brought in and trained to learn that job,” she said. “The clerk is our record keeper and they are responsible for keeping the minutes and [Ohio] Sunshine Law compliance, looking at Ohio Revised Code and making sure we follow that structure.”

Knight has served as deputy clerk behind Laboy since she was hired.

Along with Knight, the county also hired Jamal Lloyd five months ago as an administrative assistant, and the board also appointed him on Thursday to Knight’s former position of deputy clerk, where he will be trained to fill in for her as needed and eventually perhaps replace her on the dais.

“He’s part of the succession planning,” Musolino-Goodin said. “Jamal learned at the front desk and he and Maria worked side-by side together. They are the face of our front office. She’ll have a second set of eyes to make sure processes and procedures are followed properly. They work very well together, and we’re very happy with this transition.”

County Human Resources Director Dina Wilson said Laboy’s salary at her retirement was

$82,872.92. Knight will make $64,829.69 as her replacement, and Lloyd will make $49,888.87 in his new position.